The Before Columbus Foundation was founded in 1976 as a nonprofit educational and service organization dedicated to the promotion and dissemination of contemporary American multicultural literature.
In 1978, the Board of Directors of BCF (authors, editors, and publishers representing the multicultural diversity of American Literature) decided that one of its programs should be a book award that would, for the first time, respect and honor excellence in American literature without restriction or bias with regard to race, sex, creed, cultural origin, size of press or ad budget, or even genre. There would be no requirements, restrictions, limitations, or second places. There would be no categories (i.e., no “best” novel or only one “best” of anything). The winners would not selected by any set quota for diversity (nor would “mainstream white anglo male” authors be excluded), because diversity happens naturally. Finally, there would be no losers, only winners. The only criteria would be outstanding contribution to American literature in the opinion of the judges.

SUBMISSION INFO

There are no application forms, fees, or any other restrictions for submissions, nominations, or recommendations to the panel. The book is what matters, not the procedure. The only requirement is that two copies of the book must be mailed to the Before Columbus Foundation by December 31st for consideration for the following year's Awards. Anyone may make a submission (it does not have to be the publisher). There is no limit on the number of titles that may be submitted. All genres are accepted (including anthologies, children's books, and multimedia). You may include reviews, publicity, or other informational material with your submission if you wish.

Prepublication copies are accepted. Reprintings or new editions of lost classics are also welcome. The overriding principle is that there shall be no exclusions except time constraints (leeway is even available on deadline postmark dates, with prior approval). Submissions cannot be returned and acknowledgement is by SASE request only. For more information, please call.

American Book Awards
Before Columbus Foundation
The Raymond House
655-13th Street, Suite 302
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 268-9775
info@beforecolumbusfoundation.com


http://www.beforecolumbusfoundation.com/
http://www.beforecolumbusfoundation.com/submission.html

Click on the link above and go to the contest official site